Connacht need only one point from this evening’s PRO12 fixture in Italy to guarantee a semi-final spot. But coach Pat Lam will want more, such is the expectation on Connacht to deliver a bonus-point winning performance.

France’s Sevens sensation Virimi Vakatawa will make his Test debut in tomorrow’s Six Nations opener against Italy in Paris.

Guinness Pro12

Munster 30 Treviso 19: Five points in the bag courtesy of Saturday’s victory over Treviso and Munster are sitting exactly where they want to be in the top two of the Guinness Pro 12 and within touching distance of a home semi-final.

Munster got the bonus-point win required to keep their Guinness Pro 12 challenge running, but it was not quite achieved with the satisfaction they might have wanted at Musgrave Park this afternoon.

Guinness Pro 12

Stuart Lancaster has urged Twickenham to will England to victory tomorrow evening as he prepares to order his RBS 6 Nations title hopefuls to carry the game to France.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre is relishing Saturday’s trial by fire at the Aviva as he aims to keep a special record intact.

Italy will have four new faces in their squad when they face Ireland in their RBS 6 Nations Championship opener in Rome next month.

Treviso 20 Ulster 24: This was one of the most astonishing games in the league for a long time.

Ireland’s Jared Payne returns to a strong Ulster’s match-day squad for tomorrow’s difficult Pro12 trip to Treviso.

Treviso 6 Connacht 9

Connacht’s seasonal ambitions could well come down to games such as this evening’s in Italy at Stadio Monigo (7pm, Irish time).

Italy 9 Wales 26

Courtney Lawes is ready to strike fear into the French ‘bully boys’ when he is unleashed from the England back row for the first time.

Italy 23 France 18

Treviso 18 Leinster 19

Isa Nacewa was the key figure in Leinster’s bonus-point victory in last night’s RaboDirect Pro12 clash with an Italian side noted for causing upsets in this competition.

CONNACHT racked up their eighth loss on the trot, falling to Italian visitors Treviso in the Galway Sportsground last night, once again paying the price for a poor start.

FOR Joe Schmidt, the unhappy memories of defeat to Treviso in September of last year were consigned to oblivion when Leinster hoisted aloft the Heineken Cup.

ULSTER crashed to their first defeat in any competition to an Italian team and third in succession when they were outplayed by Benetton Treviso at Ravenhill last night.

CONNACHT coach Eric Elwood was delighted with the opening day victory away to Benetton Treviso in Saturday’s RaboDirect Pro12 League clash at Stadio Monigo.

THE excitement of Heineken Cup rugby finally arriving for Connacht this season must take a back seat this weekend when the new Rabo Direct Pro12 League kicks off.

CHRIS HENRY is determined that Ulster continue where they left off against Cardiff Blues last week and continue their quest for Magners League glory.

Italy 25 Ireland 36